In recent years, I've tried to keep pace with various international sports competitions by playing music from the countries involved, including Euro 2004 (football), World Cup Cricket, World Cup Rugby and the African Nations Cup (football again).

This year, I haven't been concentrating. First I missed Euro 2008 and now, although the Beijing Olympics haven't started yet, I've already recorded the programmes due to go out while they take place. Partly, I was distracted by linking to WOMAD and the Awards for World Music, but that's not much of an excuse.

At first glance, the Olympics looks too big for the idea to work - since every country takes part, how would they influence the choices? The way to do it would be to narrow down the sports. Ice Hockey would bring together Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, USA & Canada; long distance running would highlight East Africa, from Ethiopia through Kenya and Somalia to Tanzania.

Like I say, it's already too late. But if you see something looming a couple of months ahead, please point it out while there's still time for me to make appropriate plans.

You're missing le tour de France (2 weeks left), well not missing much, really. We need some new characters in it. Apart from Kraftwerk's Tour de France (and the track Elektrokardiagramm is one of my favourites, I can't think of any appropriate musique.

Gordon Neill wrote:OK, it's not a sport, but when does Obama get inaugurated? There must be a few good records that would fit. A Change Is Gonna Come, some Kenyan track etc... [possibly a new thread]

Nice idea, Gordon, which I may borrow. People Get Ready by the Impressions feels even more apt than A Change is Gonna Come. Has anoybody ever done a medley of them? I'm not encouraging such a thing, just asking.

I can't believe you people. NOt 40 minutes ago, I was on the bus, making my list. Once in a Lifetime popped into my head, and I wrote it down, but thought, maybe not..but then I read on here about an obama party in 1980 with it.

you all are seriously stealing my thunder. stop that!

so yeah, I'm making a mix and will give it to the Obama campaign, and cross my fingers, as I know some people there. I'll post it up here too. Maybe we can trade notes.

People Get Ready by the Impressions feels even more apt than A Change is Gonna Come.

Agreed. There's a few others by the Curtis Mayfield which feel apt (We're A Winner, Move On Up) but that feels like the best one. As long as you don't stoop to playing Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder doing 'Ebony & Ivory'.

Oddly enough, the more I think about Obama's choice of Kulanjan on that Borders list, the more apt it becomes - a mixture of black American and African musics, and Taj Mahal lives in Hawaii. So something off there certainly ought to be a candidate for your Jan 20th Obamafest. Then, among the Kenyans who recorded Obama praise songs, Samba Mapangala/Virunga and Kenge Kenge Orutu System. And among the Americans, Gary Lucas & Peter Stampfel (ref the latter, I suppose the Holy Modal Rounders' Euphoria would be too much of a stretch!)

People Get Ready by the Impressions feels even more apt than A Change is Gonna Come.

If we're talking Curtis, I'd say Move On Up.

But the point about A Change Is Gonna Come is that like Yes We Can, it directly influenced and was quoted in the now famous victory speech.

Cooke's biographer Peter Guralnick was interviewed on BBC Radio 4 Front Row on Friday night about the song's influence on the speech.

He was telling the story of how the song was co-written by Cooke and J.W.Alexander after they had been given a copy of Dylan's Blowin In The Wind ..apparently Cooke said that he was ashamed that it had taken a white man to write a song like that and resolved to write his own answer to it...

Oh, and yes, I saw your post saying your favourite version of the song is by Aaron Neville. I'm sticking with the one on Otis Blue as my personal fave , but would frankly settle for any one of the three and think that perhaps as the writer Sam should rightfully get the nod.